Gachagua Disagrees with Moses Kuria on Withdrawal of Gov’t Advertising from Nation

While criticizing Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria for targeting the Nation Media Group (NMG), Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday asserted that the media should be allowed to perform its role.

This was after CS Kuria demanded government agencies refrain from advertising with the media house.

Gachagua emphasized, however, that the media should be given room to carry out its mandate but stated that it will be called out when out of line.

“I want to assure you, the Nation newspaper, whereas I agree with Moses Kuria that you have become rogue, and you are part of the Azimio brigade trying to bring down the government I don’t agree with what he has suggested that we stop advertising with you,“ he said.

Read: Journalists Demand Apology from Moses Kuria Over Attack on Nation Media

“We shouldn’t because we are a democracy, and we should be able to allow you to continue doing your job. Ours is to call you out. When you go overboard, we must tell you on the face.”

The CS on Sunday while speaking in Embu said the Nation was acting like the official opposition party. This he said as he threatened to sack civil servants who place adverts with the media house.

“I want to tell Nation Media, you need to choose whether you are a newspaper, broadcasting house or an opposition party. From today, not even tomorrow, if any government department advertises with Nation Media, know you are on your way home,” said Kuria.

He also referred to Nation journalists as prostitutes, in an ongoing discussion on the interwebs.

Read Also: Uproar As Moses Kuria Threatens to Fire Gov’t Officials for Advertising with Nation

Media players demanded an apology from the CS and asked him to sober up lest he turns into a “national shame”.

The Kenya Editors Guild and the Kenya Union of Journalists both emphasized in separate statements on Monday that the CS’s comments pose a danger to the vital role that the media plays in the country’s democracy.

“The attention of the Kenya Editors’ Guild is drawn to a set of remarks attributed to Moses Kuria, the CS Trade and Industry, attacking a leading media establishment in the country, the Nation Media Group. In the first statement, a Tweet, the CS describes Nation Media Group in a foul language uncharacteristic of a state officer of his rank,” KEG said.

KUJ on the other hand said the former Gatundu South MP was quickly becoming a national shame.

“We would wish to remind Mr Kuria that he is now a Cabinet Secretary whose actions and utterances should promote a positive image of Kenya as a nation. In line with tenets of leadership and integrity law. His reactions to media reports regarding one of the many scandals that have hit Kenya Kwanza administration within a span of 10 months are not only an embarrassment to Kenyans, but a confirmation that his stomach is full and can belch and eventually vomit on the shoes of hungry Kenyans with impunity,” the union said.